Jags’ rookies shine

Hawaii’s Owens and Arkansas’
Jones turn in solid performances
against the Dolphins

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. » Rookie receiver Matt Jones got open several times, took a couple of big hits and made a leaping touchdown catch.

He gave the Jacksonville Jaguars exactly what they wanted Saturday night -- excitement, big-play ability and another scoring threat.

Jones caught three passes for 45 yards against the Miami Dolphins, helping set up two scores and capping a third in a 27-17 victory.

The first-round draft pick from Arkansas was the highlight of a rookie class that showed plenty of promise in the preseason opener.

"I didn't know what would happen," said Jones, a standout quarterback in college who is still learning the wideout position.

"I knew the starters weren't going to play much, so I figured I would play a lot. I thought anything could happen when we got down near the goal line, maybe throw one up, and we did. I was happy everything worked out."

Jones made an immediate impact when he entered the game in the second quarter. He found an open spot in Miami's zone defense, and hooked up with quarterback David Garrard for a 21-yard gain on second-and-20.

The catch was greeted with the loudest ovation of the game, and the Jags scored a touchdown five plays later.

Jones did the same thing late in the third, finding an open seam, catching a 19-yard pass from Garrard and setting up a field goal.

But the 6-foot-6 receiver saved his best for last. Jones made a jumping catch over former Pro Bowl safety Lance Schulters in the back of the end zone, a play the Jags have worked on repeatedly in training camp.

"I still have a long way to go," he said. "I'm going to get a lot better. I'm learning every day, and so far, everything's going well."

Receiver Chad Owens, a sixth-round pick from Hawaii and maybe the most surprising player in training camp, also played well Saturday.

Owens caught two passes for 61 yards, including a 48-yarder that was as impressive as it was fortunate. The 5-7 Owens raced down the sideline, out-jumped safety Billy Parker and deflected a pass from Quinn Gray that looked like it would be intercepted.

Owens tipped the ball over Parker's head and into his own hands for a big gain.

"You've got to always want the ball," Owens said. "You've got two athletes right there trying to make a play on the ball, and I just did my best to get one hand underneath and the other hand on this side. Luck was on my side. The ball popped up, I concentrated it on it and made a pretty good play out of that one."

Owens also returned three punts for 19 yards and one kickoff for 20 yards.

Two other rookies -- running back Alvin Pearman and cornerback Scott Starks -- were noticeable, too.

Pearman, a fourth-round draft pick from Virginia, carried the ball 11 times for 64 yards and showed he might be able to contribute this season, especially if Fred Taylor has a setback during his recovery from offseason knee surgery.

Starks, a third-round pick from Wisconsin, was the only rookie in Jacksonville's starting lineup. He had a team-high five tackles and made a solid open-field tackle on Dolphins running back Ricky Williams. But Williams also humbled Starks on Miami's next drive.

Williams took a pitch outside, then made an ankle-breaking move inside that left the rookie looking like, well, a rookie.

Aside from that play, the first-year players made a good impression.

"You could see some of the things we are excited about," coach Jack Del Rio said.